The right side delivers the most dramatic single moment of the flight — the Seattle skyline and Elliott Bay on departure — and also picks up views of the Cascades and later the Appalachian ridgelines on approach to Atlanta. The left side has a better Atlanta landing view, but the Seattle departure spectacle on the right outweighs it overall.
Flown BFI to ATL? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Seattle to Atlanta is 2,179 miles (3,506 km), a flight of about 4 hours 30 minutes.
The flight tracks southeast over the Cascade Range with Mount Rainier visible early on, then crosses the Columbia Plateau and high desert of southern Idaho and Utah. Over the Rockies, the Wasatch Range and Colorado Plateau terrain are visible. The route then crosses the Great Plains of Kansas and Oklahoma before entering the Ozark Plateau of Arkansas. The Appalachian foothills of northern Georgia appear in the final descent into Atlanta.
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from BFI
RIGHTBFI's primary departure runway 13R sends aircraft southeast over the Duwamish industrial waterway and Elliott Bay. Right-side passengers get a sweeping look back at downtown Seattle, the Space Needle area, and Lake Union as the aircraft climbs and turns eastward toward the Cascades.
Landing at ATL
LEFTATL's primary arrival runways 26L and 27L bring aircraft in from the east-northeast. Left-side passengers get a clear view of downtown Atlanta's skyline to the north during the approach, including the distinctive cluster of Midtown and Downtown towers. Right side faces south toward suburban sprawl with fewer landmarks.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Boeing Fld King Co International (BFI) to The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International (ATL)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Seattle to Atlanta. The right side delivers the most dramatic single moment of the flight — the Seattle skyline and Elliott Bay on departure — and also picks up views of the Cascades and later the Appalachian ridgelines on approach to Atlanta. The left side has a better Atlanta landing view, but the Seattle departure spectacle on the right outweighs it overall.
What can I see during takeoff from Boeing Fld King Co International in Seattle?
During takeoff from Boeing Fld King Co International (BFI), sit on the Right side for the best views. BFI's primary departure runway 13R sends aircraft southeast over the Duwamish industrial waterway and Elliott Bay. Right-side passengers get a sweeping look back at downtown Seattle, the Space Needle area, and Lake Union as the aircraft climbs and turns eastward toward the Cascades. Notable sights include: Elliott Bay and downtown Seattle skyline, Lake Union, Mount Rainier to the southeast, the Cascade Range foothills.
What can I see when landing at The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International in Atlanta?
When landing at The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International (ATL), sit on the Left side for the best views. ATL's primary arrival runways 26L and 27L bring aircraft in from the east-northeast. Left-side passengers get a clear view of downtown Atlanta's skyline to the north during the approach, including the distinctive cluster of Midtown and Downtown towers. Right side faces south toward suburban sprawl with fewer landmarks. Notable sights include: Downtown Atlanta skyline, Midtown Atlanta towers, Stone Mountain visible to the east on approach, Hartsfield-Jackson airport complex layout.
How long is the flight from Seattle to Atlanta?
The flight from Boeing Fld King Co International (BFI) to The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International (ATL) takes about 4 hours 30 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 2,179 miles (3,506 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Seattle to Atlanta flight path pass over?
The flight tracks southeast over the Cascade Range with Mount Rainier visible early on, then crosses the Columbia Plateau and high desert of southern Idaho and Utah. Over the Rockies, the Wasatch Range and Colorado Plateau terrain are visible. The route then crosses the Great Plains of Kansas and Oklahoma before entering the Ozark Plateau of Arkansas. The Appalachian foothills of northern Georgia appear in the final descent into Atlanta.